Philadelphia Flyers Sign Frost, Ratcliffe To ELCs

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed two more top picks from the recent draft, inking Morgan Frost and Isaac Ratcliffe to entry-level contracts. Each player is expected to return to the OHL for the upcoming season.

Frost was selected 27th-overall with the first of two first-round picks the Flyers received for Brayden Schenn. After a breakout season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, the thin center is poised for another big season as some older players move on. His responsibility and ice time should increase, and he’ll get even more opportunity to show off his creativity in the offensive zone. Growing up around the Toronto Maple Leafs due to his father’s job as PA Announcer at the Air Canada Center, Frost shot up draft boards this year due mostly to his high “hockey IQ.” If he can add some strength and show that more attention doesn’t slow him down he has a shot to be an effective middle-six center in the NHL.

The Flyers moved up to get Ratcliffe at 35th-overall, dealing a pair of picks to the Arizona Coyotes for the right to draft the 6’6″ winger. Another player who broke out and soared up draft boards, Ratcliffe ended up with 28 goals this year for the Guelph Storm and has a knack for protecting the puck down low with his big frame. While it’ll take quite a bit of work to get his skating up to an NHL level, there is the capability there for a net front powerplay presence and effective five-on-five possession player.